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Bolt Prospect of the Week: April 9, 2014

We continue our Bolt Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Bolt Prospect of the Week for April 9, 2014 is … Jonathan Marchessault, W, Syracuse Crunch (AHL - USA).

Jonathan Marchessault just experienced a year’s worth of miracles in the span of two days.

First, the scoring winger acquired from the Columbus organization in March scored twice – shorthanded – in a ridiculously improbable come-from-behind Crunch win over Utica on Saturday. Syracuse was down by three goals with less than 90 seconds on the clock when Vladdy Namestnikov scored to make the game somewhat interesting. Namestnikov’s goal was scored with Syracuse goalie Kristers Gudlevskis pulled for an extra attacker during four-on-four play.

With the Crunch now within two goals and three minutes of Joey Mormina’s single fighting major still on the board, coach Rob Zettler pulled Gudlevskis again and Marchessault scored from in front to make it a one-goal game with about a minute left. He scored again 15 seconds later to tie the game. Brett Connolly scored in overtime to give Syracuse a 6-5 win, writing the conclusion of The Miracle at War Memorial.

Marchessault, who was first star in the game, was acquired for his offensive abilities and after a slow start with the Crunch has emerged as a leader on the scoresheet. He has eight points in his last eight games after posting just one point in his first six games with Syracuse. He has 19 goals and 50 points in 71 games this year, tied with Connolly for the team lead.

So, how could Marchessault’s week possibly get better?

Well, aside from our Bolt Prospect of the Week award, he and his wife, Alexandra, welcomed their first child to the world on Sunday, James Alexander.

A miracle on the ice and the miracle of life on back-to-back days – memories don’t get much better than that.